A Matchmaking Mother Page 8

  For several moments after, they considered what would best suit the tastes of all. As it was, Elizabeth was partial to the theater, while Jane enjoyed opera more, and both sisters were agreeable to any exhibits Lady Anne might recommend. Though it was too early to draw up a schedule, within thirty minutes they had compiled a rough list of amusements they would like, and their plans were loosely set accordingly.

  “As newcomers, you will be quite the sensation when we begin to attend balls and parties,” said Lady Anne with a smile at the sisters. “And when the gentlemen catch sight of you, you will cut a swath through hearts by force of nothing more than your pretty faces.”

  Elizabeth felt her cheeks heating and knew that Jane was experiencing an even greater measure of embarrassment. It was fortunate Lady Anne did not notice or affected ignorance to avoid further embarrassing them.

  “In that, I am sure we will be doubly grateful for your presence, for it will take some of the attention away from Georgiana. She is not one who enjoys notoriety.”

  “Not at all,” added Miss Darcy. “I appreciate your presence and support.”

  “Do you have many acquaintances in London?” asked Elizabeth. “And your son—is he here as well?”

  Lady Anne seemed pleased that Elizabeth asked after her son. “Yes, William is in town. There were a few matters of business with the bank to which he needed to attend this morning, but I should expect him to return before long. We also have many other acquaintances, though many more than we would call friends. I expect you will meet many more people than you wish.”

  “And Mr. Bingley and his sisters?” asked Jane, a hint of eagerness in her voice which was not usually present. Jane flushed a little when she realized how excited she had sounded, but Lady Anne smiled and took pity on her.

  “Yes, Mr. Bingley is here, though his sister mentioned something of a visit to the north. But Mr. Bingley could not be moved from town at present. In fact, the man determined to camp on my doorstep until you appeared and was only dissuaded when I reminded him about your need to settle in with us. I have invited the Bingleys and Hursts to dine with us tomorrow evening, so you will have the opportunity to renew your acquaintance with them.”

  “Oh, that is excellent,” said Jane, and for the rest of their time in the sitting-room, a slight smile was visible for them all to see. Their hosts possessed the good manners to refrain from mentioning it, though Elizabeth thought Lady Anne was pleased.

  “I also remember your cousin was a guest in your house when we were there, so you must have heard of his patroness—who is my sister—Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

  “Yes,” said Elizabeth, forbearing the mention of Mr. Collins’s continual flow of praise for Lady Catherine. “When he visited us again in January, Mr. Collins informed us that your sister is also to come to London.”

  “That is true, though we do not expect her just yet.” Lady Anne paused and smiled. “Catherine sees no reason to come to London early, for she claims the highest tiers of society do not arrive until at least late March. Whether she has the right of it I do not know, but to me, the lack of those of the highest society is no impediment.”

  The sisters laughed as Lady Anne had intended. “There is also the question of who makes up the best of society, and if they decided themselves that they belong within that august group!” exclaimed Elizabeth.

  “Exactly!” said Lady Anne. “Events will start slowly but I am sure we shall occupy ourselves in some other manner. Then, when we begin attending some of the more prestigious events, you will have gained a tolerance for them and be at greater ease. I should also like to introduce you to my brother and sister, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, and those of their children who are in town. You will like them very much, for they are not at all given to airs or false superiority.”

  “If you recommend them so warmly,” replied Elizabeth, “I am certain Jane and I shall find them nothing less than amiable.”

  For some time after they continued to speak of the coming weeks, and Elizabeth, though she participated, was immersed in thoughts of Mr. Wickham. Lady Anne and her daughter’s behavior since their arrival, their eagerness to introduce them to family and friends gave the lie to his words, further convincing Elizabeth that Mr. Wickham was adhering to some other agenda when he spoke of them being proud and unapproachable. More than once Elizabeth thought to ask Lady Anne of the officer, but she could not find a good way to raise the subject. In the end, she decided it would be an impertinence and refrained.

  Then, after they had been sitting for some time, the one member of the family for whom Elizabeth still possessed doubts entered the room. And she was once again brought face to face with the tall and imposing figure of Mr. Darcy.

  As the time of the Bennet sisters’ visit grew near, Darcy had grown more pensive, unable to determine the state of his own feelings. The sensation of fascination with the younger sister persisted, even as it had been three months since he had last seen her. That his mother and sister’s conversation had often consisted of the upcoming visit was a contributing factor, but Darcy was left uncomfortably aware he would have thought of her regardless.

  It was clear he could not with any good conscience consider anything of a more permanent nature with Miss Elizabeth, not that he would have considered such anyway. Beyond his duty to his family name and the future prospects of his sister, any alliance with Miss Elizabeth would bring the Bennet family—especially the mother—into his closer sphere. That was not something Darcy could tolerate. Miss Elizabeth had nothing of any consequence which would be of benefit to a man in his position, and there was Anne to consider.

  Thus, when Darcy entered his house that day, knowing they had arrived, he was torn between wishing to avoid them—knowing he could not—and hurrying to greet them. In the end, it was good manners which forced his footsteps toward the sitting-room where the butler told him they were with his mother and sister.

  The sight of Miss Elizabeth Bennet was a shock to Darcy, for though she was everything he remembered, in some fashion, she was much, much more. From almost the first moments of their acquaintance, Darcy had been attracted to her, had considered her one of the handsomest women of his acquaintance. There was nothing he could see that marked her as changed. But she was more beautiful, livelier, and altogether more desirable than any woman he had ever met.

  “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” said Darcy as the two ladies rose to greet him. “I hope your journey to London was a comfortable one.”

  “It was, indeed,” said Miss Elizabeth. “I believe we have you to thank for sending the carriage to retrieve us.”

  “It was no bother, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy. “It is good to have you with us, for perhaps the season will be enlivened with your presence.”

  “And you need our presence to make the season any livelier?” asked Miss Elizabeth, arching an eyebrow in an utterly enticing fashion. “From all I have heard, lively events are already plentiful—I do not know what my poor sister and I can do to improve it for you.”

  “Oh, that is just William’s way,” said his mother, fixing him with a fond smile. “I declare that if I was not present to insist upon his attendance, he would stay at Pemberley the entire season.”

  “The season does become tiresome,” said Darcy, “and as you have previously said, I am not enamored of society.”

  “That is understandable, Mr. Darcy,” said Miss Elizabeth. “But is not the society of good friends enough to pull you from your estate?”

  “Good friends, yes,” said Darcy. “However, I bestow my friendship most carefully, and as such, have few acquaintances I would call good friends.”

  Miss Elizabeth considered Darcy for a moment before turning back to his mother. “Your mention of your estate brings to mind an unknown—and tenuous—connection between us, Lady Anne, for when my aunt visited us at Christmas, I discovered that she has actually met you.”

  “She has?” asked his mother, curiosity and uncertainty evident. For Darcy�
��s part, the woman’s words were akin to many said to his family over the years by those attempting to curry favor with them. Darcy found himself disappointed, for he had thought Miss Elizabeth was above such blatant machinations.

  “My aunt is Madeline Gardiner, who grew up in Lambton, which I believe is very close to Pemberley. Before she was married, she would have been known as Madeline Plumber.”

  The expression of confusion turned to one of delight. “Little Madeline Plumber is your aunt? Why, I have not seen her since her father resigned his rectorship in Lambton to take a position in the church at Merton College!”

  “I believe he has since retired, Lady Anne,” said Miss Bennet. “But Aunt Gardiner still speaks often of her years in Derbyshire and of her love of the county.”

  “And your aunt lives in town?” When the Bennet sisters nodded, his mother said: “Then we must visit her, for I long to see her again. I never would have expected to become reacquainted with a familiar face so long after last seeing her. Do they live nearby?”

  “Their residence is on Gracechurch Street, Lady Anne,” said Miss Elizabeth.

  “Then you must send a note around, for we shall visit as soon as you have settled in.”

  Lady Anne continued to question the Bennet sisters about their aunt, drawing whatever news she could concerning her old acquaintance while Darcy looked on with dismay. Gracechurch Street was not a neighborhood in London to which he would choose to take his mother and sister, and furthermore, this Mr. Gardiner was the brother of Mrs. Bennet. Though Darcy remembered his mother’s words about the difference between siblings, he wondered how much different the brother could be from the odious, scheming mercenary mother in Hertfordshire. Notwithstanding his friendship with Bingley, the connection to a tradesman with the manners of Mrs. Bennet was not one he wished to contemplate.

  When the sisters expressed their desire to return to their rooms to rest before dinner, Darcy rose with his mother and sister, Georgiana departing with them to ensure the sisters reached their rooms again without mishap. After the door closed behind them, Darcy turned to his mother, noting she had anticipated him.

  “Do you wish to object to our expected visit to Gracechurch Street, William?”

  “It is not the best part of town,” replied Darcy, cautious because of the knowledge his mother would be disappointed. “I know you hold that Mr. Gardiner’s character may differ from his sister’s, but I wonder how much similarity there is.”

  “Madeline Gardiner would not marry a fool,” said his mother. “Perhaps you do not recollect her, but I remember her well. She was a lovely young girl and I cannot imagine she will be anything less than a lovely woman. Given the characters of the eldest Bennet sisters and the time they have spent with their aunt and uncle, I suspect their good manners, so much in contrast with the rest of their family, were likely learned at the feet of these Gardiners.”

  Darcy shrugged, knowing he had lost this skirmish if there had ever been any question of the outcome. “Then I suppose you will visit this aunt of the Bennets.”

  “Yes, and I should like you to join us. Then you may see for yourself whether the Gardiners are worthy people to know.”

  For a moment, Darcy thought to object, but he realized there was no good reason to refuse. His dignity could well withstand thirty minutes in a house on Gracechurch Street, even if the family was objectionable.

  “Very well. If you inform me when this visit is to take place, I shall ensure my calendar is clear.”

  “I am happy to hear it, William,” said his mother. “Then if you will allow me, I will go speak with the housekeeper about dinner. We would not wish to make a poor impression on our guests by feeding them substandard fare, now would we?”

  “You had best not let cook hear you speaking so,” jested Darcy. “For if she learns of it, she may quit on the spot!”

  “Oh, I should think she could do with a little humbling,” replied his mother.

  Then with a smile, she excused herself, leaving Darcy alone. The sitting-room, where the Bennet sisters may return at any time, was not conducive to deep thought, so Darcy took himself to his study. In his mind, as he walked, he thought of the sisters and, in particular, the younger, mahogany-haired sprite of a woman. Perhaps this visit would not be too taxing. In, fact, being in Miss Elizabeth’s presence once again was invigorating, regardless of the impending visit to the aunt and uncle’s. Darcy would keep himself under good regulation—she was only a woman, even if she was one of the most captivating specimens he had ever met. Surely, he could keep the allure of her attractions at bay.

  Chapter VI

  “Shopping?” demanded Elizabeth. “Why on earth would we need to go shopping?”

  “This is a world with which you are unfamiliar, Elizabeth,” said Lady Anne. By now, the four women had agreed to an informal mode of address, though the Bennet sisters had decided it was best to stay with the more formal “Lady Anne” for their hostess. “The clothes you and your sister brought are lovely and of excellent quality—this is easy to see. But there is a certain level of sophistication expected of those who attend the season, particularly at the events we attend. Furthermore, your evening wear is a little out of date, which necessitates a few adjustments in your wardrobe.”

  “That sounds expensive,” said Jane, sounding fretful. “Papa did not give us enough funds to pay for a new wardrobe.”

  “You do not require a new wardrobe, Jane,” replied Lady Anne, favoring Jane with a fond smile. “We shall purchase you some dresses and other accessories for evening wear, but your daywear requires little adjustment, for it is already lovely.

  “As for the funds necessary to purchase what you require, that shall be my responsibility.”

  The look Lady Anne wore dared them to protest further, and Elizabeth was only happy to oblige. “We cannot ask Mr. Darcy to pay for our purchases.”

  “Nor would I suggest you do,” replied Lady Anne. Now she was smiling, perhaps sensing their resistance was crumbling. “Do you suppose I do not possess my own income? I shall take responsibility for your purchases, and I shall not hear any further dissension.”

  “You had best let her have it,” chimed Georgiana. “Mother can be quite an ogre when she puts her mind to it.”

  “That is enough from you,” said Lady Anne, though her glare lacked any bite. Then she turned back to her guests. “Well, shall we discuss the matter further? Before you respond, I should inform you my daughter is correct—I am not often inclined to give way when I know I am in the right.”

  Elizabeth shared a glance with Jane, wondering if further protest would gain them anything. Jane seemed uncomfortable with the situation, and Elizabeth liked it no better than her sister. But Lady Anne, Elizabeth was learning, was a force with which to be reckoned. Given what she had heard of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Elizabeth wondered how obstinate the woman could be like if she was considered the more determined sister. It was difficult to imagine.

  In the end, though neither was comfortable, they were forced to give way, and the ladies prepared to depart. It was then Elizabeth learned there was never any chance to refuse, for Lady Anne informed them she had made an appointment with the modiste for a fitting. Elizabeth decided there was no real reason to protest further, despite what she learned, and the look she received from Lady Anne suggested she made the correct choice.

  The shops of Bond Street were no strangers to the Bennet sisters, as they had often visited in the company of their Aunt Gardiner. Uncle Gardiner, whose import business supplied many such industries, usually provided the fabrics for the Bennet ladies’ dresses, and Mrs. Gardiner’s usual modiste had a shop on Bond Street, though she was not one of the more prestigious dressmakers. On this occasion, their destination was a woman of much renown in London.

  “Lady Anne,” greeted the modiste when they stepped into the shop. “Welcome back. Are these the ladies of whom you spoke?”

  “They are,” replied Lady Anne. “This is Miss Jane Bennet, and Miss
Elizabeth Bennet, who are my guests in London for the season. Jane, Elizabeth, this is Madame Fournier, the premier modiste of London and creator of the most divine gowns I have ever had the good fortune to wear.”

  “Thank you, my lady,” said Madame Fournier. Elizabeth noted the woman did not claim any false modesty—she had confidence in her prowess and yet did not waste words flaunting or denying it.

  Of more interest to the madame was the two sisters, for she stepped close and inspected them, and soon Elizabeth began to feel like a prize stallion on a display. As she studied them, Madame Fournier muttered to herself, a little of which was audible.

  “Tall and graceful,” said she of Jane. “Beautiful coloring. A light blue would be divine.”

  Then when she came closer to Elizabeth, she said, “Not so tall as her sister, but beauty seems to run in the family. A green to highlight her eyes and contrast with her hair would be just the thing.”

  When she had finished, Madame Fournier invited them into a private room and ordered a tea service for their comfort. Elizabeth could not help but feel flattered at being compared favorably to Jane, who was, in Elizabeth’s estimation, the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. When they were seated, Madame Fournier promising to return in a few moments to see to their measurements, Georgiana turned to Elizabeth.

  “It appears you dislike shopping, Elizabeth. I was under the impression that all ladies loved nothing more than to obtain new and prettier clothes.”

  “Just because that is what you like Georgiana, it is no reason to suppose all young ladies are the same,” admonished Lady Anne, though with affection for her only daughter.